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After obtaining the Asura Demon Sword, Tang Chen did not go straight to Sea God Island. Instead, he chose to travel back to Heaven Dou City first. He only began his long journey toward Sea God Island after he gathered Xiao Rui'er, Ye Lingling, and the rest of his companions.
On the day they were set to leave, a large and sturdy carriage stood ready outside a quiet manor located in the western suburbs of Heaven Dou City. Dugu Bo had arranged this carriage ahead of time. Four extraordinary horses were attached to it. Their hooves tapped the ground lightly, yet they looked incredibly steady and full of power.
Many more people arrived to see them off than anyone had expected. Not only were the core members of the Spirit Hall present, such as Yang Wudi and Niu Gao, but even the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Fengzhi, had come. Beside him stood the Sword Douluo Chen Xin and the Bone Douluo Gu Rong. The atmosphere felt very serious, filled with a deep sadness about the upcoming separation.
Yang Wudi stepped forward and held his hands together in a respectful greeting. His words were short, but his eyes showed how much he truly cared. He told Tang Chen that the ocean was very different from the main continent, so he must be careful about everything. Niu Gao and the other leaders agreed with him one after another. They had already linked the future of their own clans tightly to Tang Chen.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Tang Chen with a gentle expression. Then his eyes moved to his daughter, Ning Rongrong, whose eyes were already turning red from crying. He tapped her shoulder softly to comfort her. After that, he spoke warmly to Tang Chen, saying that he was leaving Ning Rongrong in his care.
He mentioned that although she could be a bit stubborn sometimes, she never failed when things became truly important. He reminded them that safety must be their main goal on this journey. Finding a good opportunity was excellent, but returning home safely was the most important thing.
The Bone Douluo Gu Rong smiled widely. He slapped the strong wall of the carriage and spoke to Tang Chen. He said that the old freak Dugu Bo had personally checked the carriage, so it was very strong. He added that the winds and waves near the sea were very powerful, but this carriage would help them suffer much less. He told them to leave and come back quickly.
Dugu Bo pulled Tang Chen to the side. His green eyes looked very serious as he lowered his voice. He told Tang Chen that Sea God Island was a very dangerous place. He said he was trusting Tang Chen with Dugu Yan, so Tang Chen had to protect her well. After saying this, he stopped talking for a moment and put a detailed map made of parchment into Tang Chen's hand. He explained that this map showed the safest and fastest road to the west coast of the continent. It also marked several places where they could find reliable help. He said that when they arrived at the coast, someone would meet them to help them get onto a ship.
Tang Chen could feel the deep worry of this old man, who was like a teacher and a good friend to him. He nodded seriously. He promised Dugu Bo not to worry because Dugu Yan was his friend too. He said he would do his absolute best to keep everyone safe.
On the other side of the area, the sadness of leaving was even stronger. Dugu Yan could no longer hold back her feelings. She ran into the arms of her grandfather, Dugu Bo, and her tears fell fast like broken strings of pearls. She had lived with Dugu Bo since she was a little child, so her heart was full of sadness and fear about leaving him.
Although Dugu Bo usually acted very cold and distant, at this moment, he only patted his granddaughter's back with great gentleness. His grey hair moved slightly in the wind, and his eyes showed a rare softness. After a long time passed, he finally led Dugu Yan, whose eyes were red from crying, over to Tang Chen. He spoke again in a rough voice, telling Tang Chen that he was leaving her in his hands.
Ning Rongrong also had tears filling her eyes. She noticed a few strands of white hair that had appeared on her father's head, and she saw his gentle but tired smile. Her heart felt very painful and bitter. Ning Fengzhi comforted her softly. He told her that this trip was a good experience that would help her grow.
He said it was her responsibility as the future leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. With the comfort of her father and her two grandfathers, Chen Xin and Gu Rong, Ning Rongrong finally walked toward the carriage, turning around to look back with every single step.
Tang Chen listened to everyone's advice carefully. Then he raised his hands to greet everyone who came to see them off. He told them to rest easy because he knew how to act safely on this trip. He added that he would rely on them to handle the matters of the continent while he was gone. He promised that when they returned, they would all drink and talk happily together.
Finally, everyone climbed inside the carriage. The inside was very large, simple, and comfortable. It was clear that someone had prepared it with great care. Ning Fengzhi had chosen a smart and capable member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to be their driver. This man knew a lot about long trips. The driver bowed to everyone and then controlled the four horses skillfully. With a loud shout, the carriage began to move slowly. It headed toward the west gate of Heaven Dou City along the smooth stone road.
Once the carriage passed through the gate, it followed the wide road toward the west without stopping. Inside the carriage, no one spoke for a while. The sadness of leaving had not gone away yet, and the heavy feeling of the unknown future made them feel quiet. Tang Chen opened the map that Dugu Bo had given him.
The mountains, rivers, towns, and roads of the western Heaven Dou Empire were drawn perfectly. A red line showed the path winding toward the west, leading straight to a port city named Vast Sea City on the coast. Next to the lines, there were small notes written by Dugu Bo. He had marked several hidden places where they could get more supplies and help.
Tang Chen spoke to the four women. He said that the journey ahead was very long. According to the map and Dugu Bo's calculations, just riding the carriage to the west coast would take more than a month. After that, they would have to take a sea ship to reach Sea God Island, which would likely take another month.
He explained that the whole trip would take at least two months. He looked up and watched the four young faces. Everyone had their own thoughts, but they all looked determined. He told them that this was a long journey and a hard test. He said that both dangers and great chances existed together on the way to Sea God Island.
He told them that from today on, they were a single team, so he hoped everyone could adjust quickly and help each other. He suggested that they should calm their minds, enjoy the view outside, and prepare well for the ocean journey.
The carriage moved quickly and smoothly along the road, traveling west toward the mysterious and massive ocean. Their long adventure had officially started. Their story would now move from the land to the wide sea. Meanwhile, the people left behind in Heaven Dou City could only send their thoughts and wishes with the wind, waiting quietly for the day the group would return.
A week passed by quietly to the sound of rolling wheels and horse hooves. Tang Chen's group traveled past the rolling hills and large plains of the western part of the empire. The view outside slowly changed. The green plants of the inland areas turned into a coastal view filled with a salty, wet feeling. When the fishy smell in the air became very strong, and the wind carried the unique power of the ocean, they knew they were close to their destination.
Inside the carriage, Tang Chen opened the detailed map once more. Xiao Rui'er, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and Ning Rongrong gathered around him. After spending a week together all day and night, the tiredness of the trip and the sadness of leaving had disappeared. Instead, they felt excited about their destination and their new adventure. The team felt much closer now.
Tang Chen pointed his long finger at a large mark on the western coast of the map. He told them they were about to arrive at Vast Sea City. He explained it was the only big port city on the western coast of the empire and one of the largest coastal cities on the whole Douluo Continent. He said it was built right on the high cliffs by the sea, making it very steep so the high tides could not easily damage it.
His finger drew a circle on the map over a large area of water to the east of the city. He said that to go to Sea God Island, they had to rent or hire a strong ship from the port, and the crew must know the sea routes well. He added that according to the charts and the guesses of the older experts, if the wind was good, it would take about ten days of sailing to reach the general area of Sea God Island.
Ning Rongrong repeated the words softly. She looked at the blue area that showed the endless ocean on the map. Her eyes showed a little fear of the long sea trip, but also a deep desire to see the mysterious island.
Dugu Yan looked very excited. She said they were finally going to see the ocean. Her Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit made her feel very comfortable in wet environments. Ye Lingling and Xiao Rui'er looked at the map carefully, keeping Tang Chen's words in their minds.
While they were talking, the carriage slowed down and stopped. The driver's voice came from the front. He told them they had arrived at Vast Sea City and that there was a normal inspection ahead. Hearing this, everyone fixed their clothes and got out of the carriage one by one.
The first thing they saw was the huge and beautiful city built against the mountains and the sea. The walls of Vast Sea City were more than twenty meters high, made completely of giant blue rocks that showed marks from the ocean water.
The walls were very thick, showing it was a major city built for defense. The walls were not straight. Instead, they bent along the shape of the coastal mountains like a giant blue dragon resting by the water. No matter how the white waves crashed in the distance where the sea met the sky, the walls did not move.
Before they even walked inside the city, the salty and fishy smell of the ocean blew into their faces. It felt completely different from the air in the inland cities, making their spirits feel clean and fresh. There was a long line of people waiting at the city gate for inspection. There were merchants, travelers, and local people, making the area very busy.
The guards wore special armor decorated with ocean patterns. Although they checked everyone carefully, they were not mean. Tang Chen's group looked very special, and even though the carriage was not fancy, it was made of high quality. After the driver showed the pass from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the guards let them pass quickly.
They walked through the deep city gate and entered Vast Sea City. The view changed completely. The streets were not flat or straight. They went up and down along the mountains with many stone steps and slopes. Most buildings were made of stone and wood in a simple and useful style. Many roofs were covered with thick grass from the sea or special materials that could resist salt. The air had a very strong smell of fish and the sea, mixed with the smell of fish markets, salt fields, and local food.
Shops stood on both sides of the streets, selling very unique items. There were strings of dried fish, colorful shells, coral decorations, dried seaweed, strange seafood, waterproof cloths, thick ropes, fishing nets, and even small model boats powered by spirit tools. Many of these things could never be seen inland. The sounds of people selling things and the shouts of workers at the docks could be heard clearly, showing how alive the city was.
Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan looked at the shops with great curiosity. Even the quiet Ye Lingling and Xiao Rui'er were interested in these new things from the sea. After walking for a short time, Tang Chen stopped. He looked at the time and then at the four women, who were so happy looking at the sights that they forgot how tired they were.
He spoke to them, saying that they had traveled for a long time by carriage, so everyone must be hungry. He suggested that since they were in the best coastal city, they should taste the real seafood. He said they should find a place to eat first, rest for a little bit, and then go to the port to ask about ships.
Everyone agreed with this idea immediately. After eating dry food from the road for so many days, everyone wanted to eat something fresh. The driver asked a local person for directions and then drove the carriage to the most famous large restaurant in the center of the city. The restaurant sat on a gentle slope with a great view. It was a three-story building made of stone and wood, shaped like a giant ship ready to sail. Three large words were written beautifully on the sign: Ocean View Tower.
They walked inside the Ocean View Tower. The inside was very large and bright, decorated with old wood from the deep sea, shells, and coral. It was lunchtime, so the main room was full of people eating. The air smelled wonderful with the scent of cooked seafood. The worker was very smart. He saw that Tang Chen's group looked like important people even though they were tired from travel. He brought them to a private room by a window on the second floor. Looking out from there, they could see the roofs of the city, the bright blue sea in the distance, and many ship masts at the port. The view was beautiful.
Everyone sat down, and Tang Chen gave the menu to the four women so they could choose what they liked. The girls looked at the long list of seafood names. They had never heard of many of these foods, so they did not know what to pick. In the end, Tang Chen ordered a large feast based on what the worker recommended.
Soon, the food arrived at the table. There was a steamed red spotted fish with white and soft meat, cooked only with green onions and ginger to keep its sweet flavor. There were steamed scallops with garlic and noodles, and the large scallop meat felt very bouncy. There was fried shrimp with salt and pepper, with shells that were golden and crispy while the inside stayed fresh. There was also boiled sea shrimp that they dipped in a special soy sauce.
They also had eggs steamed with sea urchin, sea cucumber cooked with onions, seafood fried rice, and a big bowl of white soup made with seafood and tofu. Every single dish smelled wonderful, making everyone very hungry. The tiredness from many days of travel seemed to go away because of this amazing food.
No one waited anymore, and everyone started eating with their chopsticks. The delicious flavors filled their mouths. Even Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling, who usually ate very carefully, started eating faster. Dugu Yan's eyes lit up as she ate, and she said it was wonderful. Xiao Rui'er helped peel the shrimp and crabs carefully and gave them to the others. Tang Chen ate the seafood slowly, looking out the window at the endless blue ocean from time to time.
Just then, the loud talk of some people at the next table came over to them. The people spoke with a strong local accent and smelled like the sea, so it was easy to hear them. Several fishermen with dark skin and large hands were sitting at that table. They worked on the ocean all year long. Their food was simple, but they had drunk a lot of wine. They were talking loudly about something with a mix of fear and anger.
A man with a big beard took a large drink of wine and lowered his voice a little bit, but everyone could still hear him clearly. He asked if they had heard about Old Chen's boat that came back two days ago. He said the workers on the boat were terrified. Another person asked if they had met a dangerous spirit beast in the deep sea.
The bearded man looked very scared and said it was even stranger than that. He explained that to the west, near an island called Ghost Snail Island, there was a small fishing village on the shore. He said the entire village, containing dozens of people, had completely disappeared.
The others asked if it was a huge wave or bad pirates. The man shook his head many times with fear in his eyes. He said that the deaths were terrible. He explained that every single person had been sucked dry of blood, looking just like dried fish. He said there was not even a pool of blood left on the ground. He added that the houses were broken into pieces, looking like they had been hit by thick vines or large whips.
The other fishermen gasped when they heard about the blood being sucked away, and their faces turned pale. In this city by the sea, people were used to ships sinking, spirit beast attacks, or pirate troubles. But this strange and cruel way of dying made them feel very cold.
Another thin fisherman started talking. He clearly knew more news than the others. He said that was not even the strangest part, because the ocean had not been peaceful lately. He explained that the news coming from the east, from the side of Purple Pearl, was even more frightening.
He said that a few days ago, three young spirit masters from the outside land arrived there, and their methods were much meaner than real pirates. His words made his friends very interested, and they also caught the attention of Tang Chen's group. Even Xiao Rui'er, Ye Lingling, and the others stopped eating to listen closely.
Seeing that everyone was listening, the thin fisherman spoke with even more excitement, and his voice became louder. He said he heard that one of those three people used Blue Silver Grass as a spirit, but it was not normal Blue Silver Grass at all. He described it as black and very evil.
He said it could grow very thick and long, just like a giant snake, and it was used specifically to tie people up. He added that anyone caught by it would have their spirit power and blood sucked away completely, turning into empty human shells in a very short time.